When There Is Nothing Left But Love

He smiled and took the bowl of chowder from me, then he sipped from it. He nodded, probably thinking it was fine. “Do you cook a lot in the past?”

I could never understand how he managed to shift the topics that fast. I shook my head. “No. I often saw my grandma making this when I was little.”

He nodded and sipped the chowder in silence, as if reminiscing the past. I didn’t want to break the silence, so I observed him. A short while later, he looked up at me. “Was it hard living in R Province?”

I stared at him, stupefied. “How did you know that’s where I lived?”

He found that question amusing. “That’s not too hard to figure out. I told you I helped you out so I can get my hands on that sandalwood box. Is it that surprising that I’d look into your past then?”

Well, that argument was sound, so I nodded. “I see.” He waited for me to continue, so I said, “Not really. I didn’t starve or die out in the cold. At least it was better than how I live now.”

He smiled at me again and put the bowl away. “Have you ever regretted at choosing Ashton?”

couldn’t answer him. “There’s still some

shook his head,

to my bedroom, spaced out. Have I ever regretted

as rain poured. I thought of Armond and his wound, and I wondered if the curtains in his room were

room and knocked on the door, but nobody came to open it, though I heard something crashing inside. Surprised, I went inside, but Armond was nowhere to be found, though the night light was on. Then I heard sounds from the

inside were on, so I heaved a sigh and went to knock on it. “Are you alright, Mr. Murphy?” He didn’t answer, and I started to worry.

he interrupted, but he sounded

wouldn’t budge. Looks like I’ll have to wait. He came out a long while later and was covering himself with a towel. Did he take a

to stay clear of water. Your wound’s going to get infected, and more so when the weather’s hot.” I dragged him to the chair, fuming. Then I pulled his towel away to

for a second. I calmed down, since I was just going to check his wound. Nothing else. I noticed that he was getting tense, so I said, “Relax. I’m just going to take a look at your wound. It might have to get bandaged again to

body. He looked thin when he was clothed, but he was really lean. “Dammit. Water got into it, and a pus is forming,” I cursed and

again. “I’m used to it, so